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News & Media
MAJOR NEWS
$10 Million fund for Regional Events now open
Regional communities – in particular those affected by bushfires and drought – can now apply for $1 million worth of grants to deliver events that attract visitors and provide an economic boost to local businesses. The NSW Government, through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, today opened the Regional Event Fund as part of the NSW Government’s $10 million Tourism Recovery package through two streams: the Flagship Event Fund and a new Micro Event Fund
Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grants
Under this program, $10 million will be provided for bespoke events, concerts, festivals and/or other visitor attractions (such as art installations and tourist walks) in fire affected regions to assist the recovery effort. The aim is to support initiatives in fire affected areas that celebrate what’s unique about that local community to give international and/or domestic visitors a reason to visit and return, bringing the economic benefits of tourism, but also providing the community with a positive focus in the wake of the fires.
Steve Cox announced as Destination NSW CEO
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres has today announced the appointment of Steve Cox as the new CEO of Destination NSW. Mr Cox, who has been the Managing Director at Dymocks Retail for the past eight years and enjoyed a distinguished career in the retail industry, will lead the Government agency responsible for driving the NSW tourism and major events sector. Mr Ayres said that Mr Cox’s appointment would provide Destination NSW with fresh impetus as the agency builds on the State’s reputation as the No.1 destination for domestic and international tourists.
NSW Tourism receives financial boost
NSW tourism will receive a welcome boost through a Tourism Recovery package to encourage visitation to NSW, fund new local events and assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their tourism products. The first phase of the plan launches with a new community-driven campaign – Now’s The Time To Love NSW – urging travellers to book a getaway which gives back. Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said the new campaign, developed by the state’s tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, taps into the outpouring of public support in the wake of the bushfires.
NSW Recovery Weekend
#RecoveryWeekend is a new campaign encouraging people to spend their tourism dollars in New South Wales (NSW) in 2020. Across Australia, and especially in our state of NSW, it’s been an extraordinarily difficult start to 2020 with so many affected by the bushfire crisis. It’s impacting our tourism industry, with many cancelling their holiday plans. It’s time to tell travellers that NSW is open for business and ready to welcome tourists. In NSW, we are urging people to take a #RecoveryWeekend – to simultaneously recharge holidaymakers’ batteries and help communities recover and rebuild, too.
Now's the time to love NSW
The NSW Government’s Tourism Recovery package is a multi-faceted program that will encourage visitation to NSW, fund new local events and assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their tourism products. The first phase of the package is a new community-driven campaign – Now’s The Time To Love NSW – led by Destination NSW which urges travellers to book a getaway that gives back and generates authentic, real-time imagery of NSW’s many holiday destinations.
Avoca Beach to host VISSLA Central Coast Pro
Australia’s first World Surf League Qualifying Series 3000 rated event will be held at Avoca Beach on NSW’s Central Coast from 25th February to 1st March. The Vissla Central Coast Pro is in its fourth year and is set to draw in hundreds of competitors from across the globe along with surf-loving spectators watching the action from the sand.
2019 Restaurant and Catering Industry Awards
Congratulations to DSSN Winners: Nagisa Japanese Restaurant, Grain Store Newcastle, Circa 1876, Il Cacciatore Restaurant, Seasalt Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific, The Valley Restaurant, Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant, The Wild Herring at The Anchorage Hotel & Spa, Battlesticks Bar, The Cottage, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Peterson House, The Convent, Sprout Catering.
Regional Tourism Awards
Congratulations to the following winners at the recent Regional Tourism Awards: Australian Reptile Park Central Coast, Oakvale Wildlife Park Port Stephens, Hunter Valley Gardens, Ask Roz Blue Mountains, Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Beyond Ballooning Hunter Valley, Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Park Lake Macquarie and Blueberry Hills on Comleroy, Hawkesbury.
Tourism Accommodation Australia 2019 NSW Awards for Excellence
Congratulations to the following winners at the recent NSW Tourism Awards: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, Fairmont Resort and Spa Blue Mountains, Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific, Rydges Newcastle, The Lovedale Bar Hunter Valley and Ubika Spa and Wellness in Leura.
NSW International Visitation Smashes $11 Billion Record
NSW international visitation smashes $11 billion record NSW received a record $11 billion in international visitor expenditure, according to the latest International Visitor Survey results and continues to lead the country in attracting international visitors.
Maitland 'Make It Maitland' marketing campaign
Next time you’re considering a NSW getaway, Make it Maitland – that’s the message of the NSW Government’s latest tourism marketing campaign, in partnership with Maitland City Council, Destination Sydney Surrounds North and Destination NSW.
Lake Macquarie 'Love The Lake' marketing campaign
Destination Sydney Surrounds North, in conjunction with Destination NSW and Lake Macquarie Council, have delivered a new Lake Macquarie campaign. This campaign will run for six weeks across digital and social channels including a content partnership with travel media platform, AWOL.
Penrith 'Not Your Usual' marketing campaign
Destination Sydney Surrounds North, in conjunction with Destination NSW have delivered a new Penrith campaign: Not Your Usual. Penrith is full of unexpected finds and the latest marketing campaign in partnership with Penrith City Council is set to entice potential visitors to come and explore it for themselves.
Australia's largest events conference announces regional NSW location for 2020
Destination NSW in partnership with Crowne Plaza, have chalked up another win for regional business events, with the Hunter Valley announced as the host location of a major conference in 2020, which is set to turbocharge the local economy and showcase the region to prospective decision makers.
NSW Government releases Statewide Destination Management Plan
The statewide DMP was identified as a key action item in the NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Industry Action Plan (VEIAP) and provides a framework and actions to deliver significant growth in the tourism industry.
Australian Reptile Park wins 2018 NSW Business Of The Year
The Australian Reptile Park, located in Somersby on the Central Coast, has been named the 2018 NSW Business of the Year by the state’s peak business organisation, the NSW Business Chamber. The award was presented in front of 920 guests, including NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, at a gala dinner at the Big Top, Luna Park in Sydney.
NSW strikes deal with China Eastern Airlines
NSW has struck its first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with one of China’s largest airlines to boost tourism to Sydney and regional NSW. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said China Eastern Airlines is responsible for a lucrative market share of inbound flights to Sydney and the new deal is set to grow the market even further.
World Surf League event heading to Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie will host its first ever World Surf League event in February, showcasing one of the City’s most spectacular stretches of coast to a national and international audience. Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Cr Kay Fraser, said Lake Macquarie City Council would be the naming rights sponsor for the Lake Mac City Pro Junior, which will move from Merewether Beach to Redhead Beach for the February 2019 event.
Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council's plan for a $14 million eco-tourism development
Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council has lodged plans to develop a $14 million eco-trourism project near Lavis Lane, Williamtown as part of a strategy to develop an economically sustainable future for the organisation.
Newcastle 500 brings in record airline numbers
Newcastle welcomed the news of a record number of passengers touching down at Newcastle Airport on the first day of the recent Newcastle 500 Supercars event. Newcastle Airport reported more than 5,200 passengers on Friday 23 November, an 11 per cent increase on last year and a new record - despite bushfires impacting flights.
NSW Wine Regions To Be Showcased Around The World In New Campaign
NSW wine regions will be showcased around the world and throughout the country thanks to an ambitious new $2 million marketing campaign spearheaded by the NSW Government.
2018 Restaurant and Catering Industry Awards
Congratulations to DSSN winners: Circa 1876 Pokolbin; Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley; Nagisa Japanese Restaurant Newcastle; Lovedale Bar Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley; Il Cacciatore Pokolbin; Baume Pokolbin; Esca Bimbadgen Restaurant Pokolbin; The Cottage Scone; Barcito Hamilton; H&H Catering Gosford and Wyong; Table 1 Expresso Merewether; Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley; Ziva Toukley; The Entrance Lake House The Entrance.
Regional Tourism And Jobs The Big Winner In New Funding Round
Regional tourism and local jobs are front and centre of the latest round of the Building Better Regions Fund, with regional Australia set to share in $200 million for local infrastructure and community-building projects.
Wake Up In The West Tourism Campaign
The visitor economy in Western Sydney is set to grow even further following a new campaign encouraging tourists to ‘stay a little longer’ in the regions of Penrith, the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury.
Hunter Valley - New Cooperative Marketing Campaign
Visitor numbers to the Hunter Valley are set to rise with the launch of a new advertising campaign funded by the NSW Government in partnership with the Hunter Valley Group. The campaign named "Here's To The Good Life" was launched on the first day of Spring and is expecting positive results.
Rick Steins At Bannisters To Open In Port Stephens
In a major development for tourism in Port Stephens, Rick Stein at Bannisters is set to open in the region later this year thanks to a $150,000 grant from the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Fund, paving the way for a world class restaurant to attract visitors from around Australia and around the world.
Treetops Adventure Park Nets Tourism Grant Win
Destination Sydney Surrounds North was delighted to have worked with Treetops Adventure Park in securing Product Development Funding to the region. A sky-high maze of tree houses connected by nets and slides will be the newest tourist attraction on the Central Coast following a NSW Government grant win by the Treetops Adventure Park
Newcastle To Welcome International Flights
The Hunter region is set to welcome more international visitors, with Virgin Australia confirmed to commence direct flights to Newcastle Airport from Auckland on a seasonal basis. Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael McCormack, unveiled the new route in a ceremony at the airport, with the service seeing VA the first carrier to provide an international service from the upgraded Newcastle Airport terminal
DSSN NEWSLETTERS
DSSN MEDIA RELEASES
DSSN Media Release May 2019
DSSN has delivered some strong programs which are continuing to enhance the Visitor Economy in the region. Overall, the DSSN region’s Visitor Economy has grown a staggering 34% since 2012 and now delivers $4.63 billion worth of expenditure in the region.
DSSN - 12 months on
Since incorporation in 2017, DSSN has secured successful funding from the State Government and Destination partners for Cooperative Marketing, Product Development, Conferencing and Events, totalling $2.5 million, in the process making a significant contribution towards the State Government’s goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure by the year 2020.
Release of DSSN Destination Management Plan
In delivering its Destination Management Plan (DMP) for 2018, Destination Sydney Surrounds North has released a blue print for the future Hospitality Industry and Visitor Economy.
Driving the Visitor Economy
Destination Sydney Surrounds North commences 2018 with the appointment of Michael Forster as Industry Development Manager, working in tandem with General Manager Glenn Caldwell, Executive Assistant Michelle Jenkins and Industry partners to deliver on the Region’s key strategic tourism priorities.
DNSW MEDIA KITS
Publicity is a major component of Destination NSW’s domestic and international marketing programs. It can be highly effective in building brand appeal, encouraging motivation to travel and delivering tactical messages around product and pricing. Destination NSW has a team of in-house publicists who coordinate activities to engage a range of different media. Programs include hosting visiting media; managing media relationships; conducting global outreach activities to pitch stories to media; implementing promotional events; and developing media resources. Find out more or make contact with the Destination NSW media team.